A Very Happy 4th!

We have finally reached the last stretch of our endeavours!  Here are the updates since my last post:

Wanted to give the tree in the front yard some uniformity too.. but it takes a lot to make this thing look under control! Before, it was basically vines growing from the bottom into the grass.
I went ahead and put a little bit of edging around the tree to contain most of the vine-like plants at the bottom. I'm hoping to next year, really focus on getting rid of the weeds and planing flowers in it -- unfortunately, I can only do one project at a time!

Finished up the patio with a bench, a few pots of flowers, and some landscape timber. It's quite relaxing out there--and in the shade all day long!

So the light fixture that I like most held the lights at an awkwardly low level. So, I checked to see if raising it was an option. Dad was able to build this awesome stand that raised it! I decided to disguise it with a planter and flowers.. happened to find one that matched the fixture exactly. Yay!

Installing the electric for this light, and the pool light.

Getting it put together...

Voila! All put together!

...and after planting flowers.

Funny story: The same day that we finished this structure, I had to make a trip to ACE Hardware to grab a few things... and look what was staring at me as I waited in line! If you look behind the blue chair you will notice a light fixture... fixed in a planter. I do have to say though, ours looks way better-- and better quality, I'm sure!

Painted new skimmers!

 In the process of painting steps and parts of the floor...

Getting ready to install the new filter. The old one (front) was cracked from not having any protection from the sun, and also too small for a pool this size. New filter (standing awesomely in the back) is ready for the task.

The plumbing for the new filter system: 2 skimmers, 1 drain and 3 returns, none of which were there previously. Working by the light of my cell phone, we finished this project up at just past midnight that night.
Side note, there is also now an automatic chlorine feeder that is built into this..where the long pipe is on the far left.

POWERWASH!! ... (ew.. Go Dad!)

Aaannnd after a day or two of cleaning, balancing chemicals, and troubleshooting the plumbing and electric, we are open for business! This is a picture I took of Erik's cannonball. Whoops!

A sad excuse for a volleyball net, but it's still fun! Especially watching these hooligans play.

Imani and her friend Arianna came over to swim too! ... Kali's chillin in the background.

After removing the huge piles of dead leaves that had taken over my patio -- it's amazing how much bigger it makes it look when it's actually clear...

Still needing to clean up a few things. Definitely need more plants or some kind of color next summer.

Extra seating area.

Needless to say, I am one happy girl!!

I am sooo thankful for all of the hard work that my Dad put into this -- he's awesome. Thanks to my brothers too for giving up some of their weekends to help out! Love you all, and can't wait to enjoy this with you guys from here on out!